Before each period opens you will prepare the dokusan room. Make sure the cushions are in place in both the room and in the hallway waiting area. Straighten out cushions in both at the end of the evening.

You will assist with the offering to open the first period of early morning zazen. Following the robe chant, you will follow the doshi to the lobby altar, carrying the bowl of cedar sprigs. Do not make an initial bow at the altars; simply stand holding the bowl with both hands at approximately eye level. When the Doshi steps up to the altar and bows, offer her the bowl. After she takes the sprig, stand holding the bowl while the offering is made; repeat for a second offering. Bow with the doshi when finished, replace the bowl on the altar, snuff the votive candle and continue with offerings in the library and the main altar.

Go to your cushion and wait for the teacher to leave for dokusan.

Dokusan
- Before sesshin begins, check to see how dokusan will be offered.
(Usually everyone is invited). The priest will usually sit for a while after the
morning offering before starting dokusan, but whenever you see or hear the priest get up to leave the zendo, follow him to the dokusan room and assist with the offering there. Then invite the first two people to the waiting area in the hallway. You can
check the seating map to see where the person is sitting. The priest
will ring the bell when he’s ready for the next person. If the person is new to dokusan, you will instruct her on the form. (One gassho bow when entering the room, one full prostration to the
altar and one standing bow in front of his cushion to the teacher) Once
that person is in the dokusan room, go to the zendo and invite the next
person. When it’s time for service, you may have to knock on the door to alert the priest.

The first service in the early morning has 2 offerings. At the start of service, immediately go up to the altar and pick up the copper bowl of sprigs. (Do not bow) As before, present the bowl to the Doshi and bow when he or she bows after the offering. Replace the bowl on the altar and return to your cushion to participate in the service.

There will be two or three chants, then a dedication. When that reaches…”All Buddhas…” you will go to the altar to assist with the second offering.

The services before lunchand dinner have only one incense offering right at the start of service.

You will also assist with the offering to open the zendo after breaks. At the start of the Han, you can get the copper bowl from the main altar and meet the Doshi in the lobby. You will assist again with the three offerings in the lobby, library and main altar. Then, after the doshi gets up to give dokusan, you'll assist with the final offering in the dokusan room.

Before the dharma talk, go to the altar to assist with the offering in the usual way. After doshi and sangha do three prostrations, slide her/his cushion in place in front of the altar. When the teacher is settled, bow and present the lectern with the books etc. on it. When the dharma talk is over, move the lectern out of the way and after the 3 bows, return the teacher’s cushion to its place, and leave with the teacher, carrying his/her books and notes. Hand these over outside the zendo followed by a bow to each other.

At evening refuges no jisha is needed as there is no offering, but the Sangha does three bows together. Exit at the end of the evening behind the priest.

To summarize:

I. You’ll prepare the teacher’s dokusan room, putting cushions in place. You will also make sure that cushions are set up in the dokusan waiting area.

II. You’ll help the priest with cedar offerings at these times:

➢ Opening the zendo at all four sessions. (early morning, mid-morning, afternoon and evening).

➢ At all services. (two offerings at early morning service and one at noon and in the afternoon).

➢ Before Dharma Talk. You will also see that the teacher’s cushion, lectern and notes are in place.

III. You’ll bring people to the teacher for dokusan and provide instructions on dokusan form to those who need it.

IV. You’ll exit behind the teacher whenever she leaves the zendo with the exit bells.